EDSA II
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EDSA II (pronounced as Edsa dos), also known as the Second People Power Revolution, is the common name of the four-day popular revolt that peacefully overthrew Philippine president Joseph Estrada in January 2001. He was succeeded by his then vice president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
EDSA stands for Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, the major highway that encircles Metro Manila. The revolt took place in the business district of Ortigas Center.
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Timeline of Events
Day 1: January 17, 2001
All 11 prosecutors in the Estrada impeachment trial resign, following an 11-10 vote by the Senate the previous day to block a key piece of evidence. The trial is suspended, and the date of the trial's resumption is not decided.
A crowd begins to gather at the EDSA Shrine.
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Day 2: January 18, 2001
The crowd continues to grow.
Day 3: January 19, 2001
The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines withdraw support for Estrada, joining the crowds at the EDSA Shrine.
At 5:00pm, Estrada appears on television for the first time since the beginning of the revolt and maintains that he will not resign. He says he wishes the impeachment trial to continue, stressing that only a guilty verdict will remove him from office.
At 6:15pm, Estrada again appears on television, calling for a snap presidential election to be held concurrently with congressional and local elections on May 14, 2001. He adds that he will not run in this election.
Day 4: January 20, 2001
At noon, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo takes her oath of office in the presence of the crowd at EDSA, becoming the 14th president of the Philippines.
At 2:00 pm, Estrada releases a letter saying he had "strong and serious doubts about the legality and constitutionality of her proclamation as president", but saying he would give up his office to avoid being an obstacle to healing the nation.
Later, Estrada and his family leave Malacaņang Palace, smiling and waving to reporters and shaking hands with the remaining members of his Cabinet and other palace employees. He is placed under house arrest and eventually confined to his rest home in Sampaloc, a small village in Tanay, Rizal.
International reaction
World reaction to the administration change was mixed. Though foreign nations, including the United States, immediately expressed recognition of the legitimacy of Arroyo's presidency, foreign commentators described the revolt as "a defeat for due process" and as "mob rule".
Related topics
References
- CNN.com - Arroyo sworn in as president of Philippines - January 21, 2001
- The Story of EDSA II: Why Erap Failed
- The New York Times - Expecting Praise, Filipinos are Criticized for Ouster
- The Success of People Power II and what it really means